Chicago/ Crime & Emergencies
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Published on April 14, 2024
Suspected Narcotics Lab Uncovered in Chicago's River North Post-Fire, Investigation UnderwaySource: Google Street View

Chicago's upscale River North neighborhood was shaken by a recent discovery of a suspected narcotics lab following a high-rise apartment fire. The Chicago Police Department has now taken the helm of the investigation after emergency services personnel stumbled upon the hazardous setup.

Reports from The Chicago Tribune indicate that the Chicago Fire Department was the first to respond to a small blaze in a building on West Illinois Street Friday night. The fire was out quickly, but the encounter with potential narcotics-making equipment prompted a hazardous material response. Building residents were evacuated, and only allowed to return after an hour's time. Officials have yet to identify which drugs were suspected of being manufactured.

Adding to the layers of response, ABC7 Chicago claims that the DEA was involved in the cleanup and inventory of the narcotics evidence, while the bomb squad and FBI were also sighted at the scene. No one was present in the building during the discovery, and there were no injuries reported.

With cylinder tanks and equipment found for reasons unknown, a level one hazmat was declared by police. Confirming their leading role in probing this incident, the Chicago Police Department's narcotics unit is at the forefront, seeking to unravel the events that led to the clandestine lab's operation amidst the homes of unaware city dwellers.